Instead, Bush views long-term energy development as the answer, and he is certain to face a battle in Congress over his plan, which is to be released later this week.

The administration hoped to garner support Monday from labor leaders whose union members would benefit from energy development and power-plant construction. Among those meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney was Teamsters president James Hoffa.

If this summer's high fuel prices turn into soaring home heating costs next winter, Bush's focus on long-term solutions could become a political problem not only for the White House, but also for congressional Republicans facing reelection in 2002, say some political analysts.

On Sunday, California Gov. Gray Davis accused the White House of ignoring "the greed of ... Texas energy companies" by refusing to call for temporary price caps on soaring electricity costs in California and elsewhere across the West.

Davis, a Democrat, said on ABC's "This Week" that the administration "was dropping the ball" by refusing to address the West's power crisis.

Bush, who like Cheney is a former energy company executive, says that interfering in the free market would deter investment in power plants and worsen electricity supply problems.

Environmentalists and congressional Democrats say his plan will be too heavily tilted toward production of conventional fuels and not conservation or development of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy.

Bush sought to blunt that criticism in his weekly radio address, promising a "comprehensive energy plan to help bring new supplies of energy to the markets." His proposals will encourage Americans "to use more wisely the energy supplies that exist today," he said.

The proposed conservation measures released by the White House were modest: tax credits for hybrid gas-electric cars now only nudging into the market; an expansion of a federal educational and advisory program on energy efficiency; and tax and regulatory relief to promote energy efficient co-generation power plants that provide both electricity and heat.

While details remain sketchy, task force members have said the 100-page policy document will attempt to set a new "tone" on energy policy that supports free market approaches, less regulation and the need for a balance among various energy sources.

Although the task force will not recommend specific legislation, it will urge:

Broad support for nuclear power and recommend streamlining the regulatory process for building new reactors and extending the life of existing ones. It also will propose renewal of a law that limits liability on industry for nuclear accidents.

Continued reliance on coal, which provides half the nation's electricity, and urge Congress to give tax breaks for technology that reduces pollution from coal burning.

Easing of regulatory barriers for new power plants with a prediction the country will need to build 1,300 to 1,900 mid-size power plants over the next 20 years to meet electricity demands.

Streamlining of the approval of power lines and natural gas pipelines to get electricity and gas to markets where it is needed.

Providing refiners more flexibility under clean air rules to produce electricity and make it easier to expand or build refineries to meet growing demand.

Opening new federal lands, including now off-limits areas of the Rocky Mountains and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil and gas development.

Congressional Democrats say the administration is proposing little to encourage research into energy efficiency and instead seeking to cut spending on conservation and renewable energy research.

"There needs to be a lot more coming (on conservation) if we're going to get out of our energy problems," said David Nemtzow, executive director of the Alliance to Save Energy, an advocacy group funded by both industry and environmentalists.